Here's a link to thoughts posted on Facebook...
... and further thoughts on the subject.
I was originally thinking, primarily, in terms of the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, but now I realize that the Macy's Parade is also a major factor. So since the objective is to take "The Gnomes of New Hope; Zach and Zebby's Grand Adventure" to Broadway, then the New York Parade needs to be one step down from a Broadway Premeire, meaning the Philadelphia parade would be one step up from the local parades, but one step down from New York.
I'm thinking that the basic presentation format will remain essentially the same for all levels, only the technology will improve as we move up the ladder.
I'm looking at basically three levels, almost parallel to a community model; local, county, state.
There are local parades in the surrounding communities, surrounding Regional Theatres. Possibly LORT D, but that would probably be a Second Class troupe, if it was a Road Show, as opposed to a Licensed show. In terms of a Licensed Show, my plan is to assemble the show into one semi-trailer and then rent that out, leaving casting etc to the producer. But those rentals will only take place in second or third-run (ie; Regional & Community). By that time the show will have it's audience by virtue of the published & merchandizing goods and the first & second class runs and the parade float may or may not be effective. By then I think parade activity will be fun (and advantageous) but not critical to building the audience.
I think the first stage of parade operations, addressing the local level will need to expand rapidly if it is followed (almost simultaneously) by the Premeire at The Bucks County Playhouse. No arrangements to use the playhouse have been made, using that space for the World Premeire is purely speculative. But the stage design is being altered fro 3D to 2D to accommodate the size of that stage. That's not to say there are not any 3D stage props, but the primary settings are being converted to flats and drops. Transporting large stage props is prohibitive at this stage of operations and I don't want 3D props to be part of the rental package, we can leave that up to the production company renting the materials. I'm not sure yet about costumes. They could be part of the package, maybe an option, although I want the show that goes out to be consistent, so costumes will probably be included.
But I diverge from the subject of parade activities.
Look for discussions on the Rental Packages. For now I'm setting up the trucking scenario, so Rental Packages are quite a ways off. I can only say that the set construction for the parade activity will cross over to preparations for the World Premiere and those materials, being non-union will be used in-house for cinema and ultimately converted over for use in the rental package, since those sets need to be reconstructed by union personal for Broadway.
That's all for now. I'm still engaged in publishing. The first book in the series is about to be released. AG
